GROUP 1 interactions, human development, and

Caisip, Kyra L. contemporary issues. This serves as a

foundation for careers in teaching,
Dela Flor, Princess Astrid V.
journalism, law, public service, and
Dilag, Iori Shi L.
many more. The HUMSS strand seeks
Lasam, Jamesemmanuel M. to provide students with critical thinking
Pajarito, Thalia Angela C. and communication skills they need for
their future career.

Humanities and Social Sciences Recent studies, including one

conducted Camp Vicente Lim Integrated
Schools (S.Y. 2017-2018), highlight the
The Influencing Factors on benefits of the Humanities and Social
the Higher School ng UMak Sciences (HUMSS) strand, such as
Students in Choosing the improving listening skills, open
Humanities and Social mindedness, and good manners. These

Sciences Strand in the findings align with the objectives of

UMak’s HUMSS Program, which seeks
University of Makati
to understand the motivations behind
Keywords: Humanities and Social Sciences students’ choices of thai strand. This
(HUMSS), Critical Thinking, and Student
research aims to explore students’
Motivation
background, goals, and attitude towards
better aligning their academic and
INTRODUCTION paths, avoiding mismatched
The Humanities and Social competencies in future courses.
Sciences (HUMSS) strand at the
UMak students choosing HUMSS
University of Makati (UMak) is a
strand often do so out of passion for
specialized track for students that has a
culture, society, and human behavior,
deep interest in fields such as
viewing it as a preparatory step for their
philosophy, psychology, sociology,
future academic and professional
literature, and history. The HUMSS
endeavors. However, their decisions are
strand focuses on understanding social
also influenced by factors such as offer important insights into the reasons
parental support, peer pressure, and behind students' choice of the HUMSS
societal expectations. This study aims to strand and its influence on their
shed light on these decision-making academic and professional futures,
processes and encourage students to despite obstacles like time restraints
pursue paths that align with their and language barriers.
personal goals and interests.
METHODOLOGY
UMak, which is renowned for offering
Purposive random sampling was used
high-quality instruction in the social and
by the researchers, who concentrated
political sciences as well as the arts, has
on Higher School ng UMak Grade 11
a comprehensive curriculum that is
HUMSS students. The sample was
funded by the Makati City government.
represented by percentages.
The HUMSS strand encourages the
growth of critical thinking abilities,
interdisciplinary learning, and real-world RESULTS
experience through internships and
The researchers chose one
community service. Through the
statistical instrument: Thematic
integration of theoretical knowledge with
Analysis, to evaluate the factors that
practical applications, UMak equips
influence University of Makati students
students for a wide range of
in selecting the Humanities and Social
professional fields.
Sciences (HUMSS) strand. Data were
In order to simplify the academic collected from surveys before being
pathways of Grade 11 HUMSS interpreted.
students, this study looks into the
Thematic Analysis was used to
factors that influence their choices. It
identify common themes and patterns in
addresses concerns like the "brain
the qualitative data gathered from the
drain" and the requirement for good job
interviews with HUMSS students. This
matches, taking into account the roles of
method involved several steps:
parents, teachers, students, and the
future workforce. This study attempts to
1. Data Familiarization: Thoroughly Theme 2: Career goals and Interest of
reading through the survey responses Students
several times.
 Students are working toward a
2. Initial Code Generation: Identifying specific objective that is related to
and recording recurring topics and the HUMSS strand's curriculum.
ideas. For them, pursuing the HUMSS
strand is a first step toward
3. Theme Identification: Grouping
personal growth and preparation
related codes into potential themes.
for their related course.
4. Theme Review: Refining the themes  The HUMSS strand fosters
to ensure they accurately represent the critical thinking and
data communication skills, paving the
way for careers in teaching,
Theme 1: Good Quality Education
journalism, law, and public
 Students' motivation for the services. It attracts students
HUMSS strand is greatly strong in history and social
influenced by UMak's sciences, enabling them to
extracurricular activities, teacher enhance their expertise in these
expertise, facilities, and support fields.-Their fascination with
systems. culture, society, and human
 HSU's future is secured by behavior led them to select the
Makati City's funding, meticulous HUMSS track.
administration, and the need for  Their fascination with culture,
higher education to prepare society, and human behavior led
future labor forces. them to select the HUMSS track.
 UMak's HUMSS program stands
Theme 3: Family Impact
out in SHS development and
advancement, being the first to  Parents of certain students
offer top-notch senior high are pressuring and forcing
education to locals and the them to follow the path they
underprivileged. desire for their children..
  Some prefer to select the Definition: Career aspirations and
same strand at the same interests drive students to pursue the
university in order to carry on HUMSS strand, viewing it as a pathway
their family's customs from to personal growth and preparation for
one generation to the next related fields, fueled by their fascination
 Families with low with culture, society, and human
socioeconomic status often behavior.
face challenges such as
Theme 3: Influence of Family
financial constraints and
Dynamics
limited opportunities for
education. Definition: Parental imposition of
academic and career choices on their
5. Defining and Naming Themes: children, often aimed at perpetuating
Finalizing the names and definitions family traditions, by compelling them to
of each theme. pursue specific educational paths,
typically within the same university and
Theme 1: High-Quality Education
academic strand.
Definition: UMak's HUMSS program
6. Writing the Report: Presenting the
reflects its dedication to quality senior
themes with supporting data extracts
high education, bolstered by extensive
extracurricular activities, experienced Theme 1: Academic Excellence
faculty, superior facilities, and strong
support systems, all supported by UMak's HUMSS program demonstrates
Makati City's funding and administration, a commitment to excellence in senior
highlighting the crucial role of higher high education through comprehensive
education in shaping future extracurricular activities, seasoned
professionals. faculty, top-notch facilities, and robust
support systems, underpinned by Makati
Theme 2: Student Career Aspirations City's backing and governance,
and Interests underscoring the pivotal contribution of
higher education in molding prospective fields related to culture, society, and
professionals. human behavior. However, the influence
of familial expectations persists, with
Theme 2: Interests and Career Goals
parents often dictating educational paths
of Students
to perpetuate family traditions, which
underscores the complex interplay
Students are drawn to the HUMSS
between individual aspirations and
strand by their career aspirations and
familial pressures in shaping
interests, perceiving it as a route to
educational trajectories.
personal development and readiness for
related disciplines, propelled by their
The thematic analysis sheds light
intrigue in culture, society, and human
on the diverse motivations driving
behavior.
students to pursue the HUMSS strand,
ranging from career aspirations and
Theme 3: Family Impact on
personal interests in culture, society,
Educational Pathways
and human behavior to the influence of
Parents frequently impose their parental expectations and the broader
academic and career preferences on societal emphasis on academic
their children, often driven by a desire to excellence, highlighting the complex
uphold family legacies, coercing them interplay between individual agency,
into following particular educational familial pressures, and institutional
trajectories, typically within the same frameworks shaping educational
institution and academic focus. pathways.

In conclusion, UMak's HUMSS DISCUSSION

program stands out for its commitment
In this study, we delved into the
to academic excellence, supported by
intricacies of the HUMSS (Humanities
robust infrastructure and institutional
and Social Sciences) program offered
backing. Additionally, students are
by UMak (University of Makati), focusing
attracted to the program due to its
on three key themes: High-Quality
alignment with their career aspirations
Education, Student Career Aspirations
and personal interests, particularly in
and Interests, and Influence of Family human behavior serves as a driving
Dynamics. Through thematic analysis, force behind their choice of the HUMSS
we uncovered nuanced insights into the track, highlighting the importance of
motivations and influences shaping aligning educational programs with
students' educational pathways. students' passions and aspirations.

UMak's HUMSS program stands as Family dynamics play a significant

a beacon of academic excellence, role in shaping students' educational
bolstered by a myriad of factors trajectories, often exerting pressure on
contributing to its quality. The extensive them to follow predetermined paths.
extracurricular activities, experienced While some parents impose their
faculty, superior facilities, and robust academic and career preferences on
support systems reflect UMak's their children to uphold family traditions,
dedication to providing top-notch senior others face challenges stemming from
high education. Moreover, the backing low socioeconomic status, such as
of Makati City's funding and meticulous financial constraints and limited
administration ensures the sustainability opportunities for education. This theme
and growth of the program. This theme sheds light on the complex interplay
underscores the pivotal role of higher between familial expectations, individual
education institutions in shaping the aspirations, and societal pressures in
future workforce and fostering shaping students' educational journeys.
community development.
Understanding the dynamics of
The allure of the HUMSS strand lies UMak's HUMSS program has far-
in its ability to cater to students' career reaching implications for educational
aspirations and personal interests. By institutions, policymakers, and
fostering critical thinking and stakeholders alike. By recognizing the
communication skills, the program importance of providing high-quality
prepares students for diverse career education tailored to students' interests
paths in teaching, journalism, law, public and aspirations, institutions can better
services, and beyond. The students' support student success and promote
fascination with culture, society, and social mobility. Additionally, addressing
the influence of family dynamics
requires a multifaceted approach,
including targeted interventions to
support families facing socioeconomic
challenges and promoting greater
autonomy for students in making
educational decisions.

Moving forward, further research is

needed to explore the long-term
outcomes of the HUMSS program and
its impact on students' academic and
career trajectories. Additionally,
examining the efficacy of interventions
aimed at addressing familial pressures
and promoting student agency can
inform the development of evidence-
based practices to enhance educational
equity and access.